Zoroastrianism

ZOROASTRIANISM

Zoroastrianism is an ancient
Aryan religion that originated in Persia more than 2500 years ago. Though
it has relatively few adherents, less than one hundred and thirty thousand
in the whole world, it is one of the oldest religions. Zoroaster was the
founder of Zoroastrianism, also commonly known as Parsi-ism. It is also
known as the religion of fire worshippers and Magianism. Parsi Scriptures
consist of Dasatir and Vesta or Zend-Avesta. Dasatir is further divided
into two parts: Khurda Dasatir and Kalan Dasatir. Avesta is further divided
into Khurda Avesta and Kalan Avesta also known as Zend or Maha-Zend. The
religious scriptures of the Parsis are found in two languages: Pahlawi
(Pahlawi script resembles the present Persian script) and Zendi. Besides
these two scripts, some religious literature is found in cuneiform writing.
Some Parsis consider the Zend Avesta to be more authentic than the Dasatir
while the others consider Dasatir to be more authentic. Zend Avesta is
divided into three parts: 1. The first part contains Vendid. 2. The second
part contains Sirozahs, Yashts and Nyays. 3. The third part contains
Gathas, Yasha, Visparad, Afrinagan Gahs and miscellaneous. DASATIR: Dasatir
means a book of ten parts: ‘Das’
- meaning 'ten' and ‘tir’
meaning -‘a
part’.
Dasatir is also the plural of Dastur, which means law or religious code.
MUHAMMED (PBUH & hf) IN THE PARSI SCRIPTURES 1. Prophet Muhammad (pbuh)
in Zend Avesta It is mentioned in Zend Avesta Farvardin Yasht chapter 28
verse 129 (Sacred Books of the East, volume 23, Zend Avesta Part II pg.
220): "Whose name will be the Victorious, Soeshyant and whose name
will be Astvat-ereta. He will be Soeshyant (The Beneficent one) because he
will benefit the whole bodily world. He will be Astvat-ereta (he who makes
the people, bodily creatures rise up) because as a bodily creature and as a
living being he will stand against the destruction of the bodily (being)
creatures to withstand the drug of the two footed brood, to withstand the
evil done by the faithful (idolaters and the like and the errors of the
Mazdaynians)". This Prophecy applies to no other person more perfectly
than it does to Muhammad (pbuh): a. The Prophet was not only victorious at
Fatah Makkah but was also merciful when he let go the blood thirsty opponents
by saying: "There shall be no reproof against you this day". b.
Soeshyant means the ‘praised
one’
(refer Haisting’s
Encyclopedia), which translated in Arabic means Muhammad (pbuh). c.
Astvat-ereta is derived from the root word Astu which in Sanskrit as well
as in Zend means- ‘to
praise’.
The infinitive Sitaudan in present day Persian means praising. It can also
be derived from the Persian root word istadan which would mean - one
who makes a thing rise up. Therefore Astvat-ereta means the one who praised,
which is the exact translation of the Arabic word 'Ahmed' which is another
name for Prophet Muhammad (pbuh). The Prophecy clearly mentions both the
names of the Prophet i.e. Muhammad (pbuh) and Ahmed (pbuh). d. The Prophecy
further says that he will benefit the whole bodily world and the Qur’an
testifies this in Surah Al-Anbiya chapter 21 verse 107: "We sent thee
not, but as a mercy for all creatures." [Al-Qur'an 21:107] 2. Sanctity
of Prophet’s
Companions: In Zend Avesta Zamyad Yasht chapter 16 verse 95 (Sacred Books
of the East, volume 23 Zend Avesta Part II pg. 308): "And there shall
his friends come forward, the friends of Astvat-ereta, who are
fiend-smitting, well thinking, well-speaking, well-doing, following the
good law and whose tongues have never uttered a word of falsehood." a.
Here too Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) is mentioned by name as Astvat-ereta. b.
There is also a mention of the Prophet’s friends as companions who will be fighting the evil;
pious, holy men having good moral values and always speaking the truth.
This is a clear reference to the Sahabas,the prophet's companions. 3. Prophet Muhammad (pbuh & hf) in
Dasatir: The sum and substance of the prophecy mentioned in Dasatir is,
that when the Zoroastrian people will forsake their religion and will
become dissolute, a man will rise in Arabia, whose followers will conquer
Persian and subjugate the arrogant Persians. Instead of worshipping fire in
their own temples, they will turn their faces in prayer towards Kaaba of
Abraham (pbuh) which will be cleared of all idols. They (the followers of
the Arabian Prophet), will be a mercy unto the world. They will become
masters of Persia, Madain, Tus, Balkh, the sacred places of the
Zoroastrians and the neighbouring territories. Their Prophet will be an
eloquent man telling miraculous things. This Prophecy relates to no other
person but to Muhammad (pbuh). 4. Muhammad (pbuh & hf) will be the Last
Prophet: It is mentioned in Bundahish chapter 30 verses 6 to 27 that
Soeshyant will be the last Prophet implying that Muhammad (pbuh) will be
the last Prophet. The Qur’an testifies this in Surah Ahzab. "Muhammad is not
the father of any of your men, but (he is) the Messenger of Allah, and the
Seal of the Prophets: and Allah has full knowledge of all things."
[Al-Qur'an 33:40]